Template - Case for Endorsement - National Skills Standards Council

Template – Case for Endorsement – pv2.0
Template ‐ Case for Endorsement
REMEMBER …
• The Case for Endorsement is a comprehensive evidence‐based document that has a dual purpose of:
(i) informing NQC’s decision in relation to endorsement of the Training Package; and (ii) telling the
‘story’ to a broad audience, including all users of the Training Package, about what the changes to the
Training Package are, why the changes were made, and what the changes mean to them.
• Developed by the ISC for each submission, the Case for Endorsement must evidence that the Training
Package meets: (i) policy requirements as represented by both the Training Package Quality Principles
(the Quality Principles) and the Training Package Development Handbook (the TPDH); (ii) the
consultation and validation process has been rigorous and transparent; (iii) there is widespread
support from industry for the changes; and (iv) the impact of changes has been considered.
• The requirements in the TPDH and Quality Principles form the basis of the Quality Report, which is
attached as Appendix B to every Case for Endorsement. The ISC is required to: (i) respond to any areas
in which the Quality Report has identified that the draft endorsed components have not met the
Quality Principles; and (ii) respond to any other comments made in the Quality Report, indicate what
actions have been taken and if none, the reasons.
• Objective, factual and ‘to the point’, the Case for Endorsement must be written as a compelling,
coherent and plain English document. It must also demonstrate: (i) a direct link back to the ISC
Continuous Improvement Plan; (ii) that industry’s needs have been met; and (iii) industry’s
involvement in the consultation and validation process has been commensurate with the impact and
need for the new units of competency, skill sets, qualifications or Training Package.
• For the period of NQC/Ministerial consideration, the Case for Endorsement must be posted on the
ISC’s website. The full units of competency (all content), qualifications, skill sets or Training Package
must also be posted on the website during this time. Following endorsement, appendices A and B are
removed and the modified Case for Endorsement made available to all stakeholders by: the ISC
posting the modified document on its website; and STAs distributing the modified Case for
Endorsement to registering bodies, course accrediting bodies, jurisdictional regulators and
appropriate RTOs within their jurisdiction.
• Only when industry and the ISC is satisfied that the draft units of competency, qualifications or
Training Package is fit for purpose from both a content and quality perspective, is it forwarded to the
NQC Secretariat for distribution to the NQC. The ISC must advise the NQC Secretariat of the pending
submission a minimum of 14 calendar days prior to forwarding.
• Further information on the Case for Endorsement and its role may be found in the policy document –
National Quality Council Policy for the Training Package Development and Endorsement Process
Principles, Processes & Key Documents.

Template – Case for Endorsement – pv2.0
Template
COVER
INDEX
OVERVIEW
• Provide a short overview of the submission being put forward for endorsement by the
NQC. This should be no more than two pages and give NQC members and stakeholders a
comprehensive picture of what is being put forward for endorsement and its importance
to industry. It should also identify any issues of importance regarding the submission.
• The Overview section will form part of the modified Case for Endorsement document to
be made publicly available to all stakeholders post‐endorsement. Some issues that could
be raised in this section (e.g. reference to a ‘report by exception’, issues raised in the
Quality Report) will be addressed as part of the endorsement process and may not be
appropriate for inclusion in the post‐endorsement public document. ISCs should be
mindful of the dual purpose nature of the Case for Endorsement during drafting. In some
instances, ISCs may need to revisit text in the body of the Case for Endorsement before
finalising the post‐endorsement public version.
Note on transition: The Case for Endorsement requirements in this template apply to all new Training
Package development work from 1 January 2010, and development work already in train that had not
reached the stakeholder agreement stage at 1 January 2010. In all other cases ISCs may lodge a Case
for Endorsement using the former template until 31 March 2010 but are strongly encouraged to
comply with the new requirements earlier where possible.
SECTION 1‐– RESPONSIVENESS & RECOGNITION QUALITY PRINCIPLES
• Provide evidence that the units of competency, skill sets 1 , qualifications or Training Package
being put forward for endorsement:
- reflect contemporary work organisation and job profiles
- are driven by industry’s needs
- respond to government broad policy initiatives
- recognise convergence and connectivity of skills
- support movement of skills within and across organisations and sectors
- promote national and international portability
- reflect licensing and regulatory requirements.
1 Skill sets using current endorsed units of competency are an ISC Upgrade and do not require NQC endorsement.
Further information on Categories of Change is in the Training Package Development and Endorsement Process
document.

Template – Case for Endorsement – pv2.0
• Provide a ‘report by exception’ (only if required) on stakeholder consensus to flag where a
stakeholder or individual holds a significantly differing viewpoint 2 from the majority. It
should provide an objective view of the issue and steps taken by the ISC to resolve the
matter or that reasonable measures have been taken to respond to stakeholder concerns.
Note: Issues raised in a ‘report by exception’ will be addressed as part of the endorsement process. ISCs
may wish to remove a ‘report by exception’ prior to finalising the post‐endorsement public version.
SECTION 2 –– FLEXIBILITY & FUNCTIONALITY QUALITY PRINCIPLES
• Provide evidence that the units of competency, skill sets 3 , qualifications or Training Package
being put forward for endorsement:
- meet the diversity of individual and enterprise needs
- support equitable access and progression of learners
- support learner transition between education sectors
- support implementation across a range of settings
- support Sound Assessment Practice
- do not impose structural barriers to implementation.
• Attach a copy of the Quality Report completed by a holistic quality assurance member of
the ISC Quality Assurance Panel (the Panel) at Appendix B.
• If the Quality Report has identified areas where the draft endorsed components have not
met the Training Package Quality Principles, the ISC must confirm that it has responded to
the recommendations. Where the ISC has not adopted a recommendation, it must provide
commentary and full justification, either in the body of the Case for Endorsement or in a
separate attachment to Appendix B. ISCs will be guided on the seriousness of the issues
raised, keeping in mind that evidence the draft endorsed components meet the Training
Package Quality Principles is a key element for NQC considerations.
Note: Issues raised in a Quality Report, and the ISC’s response, will be addressed as part of the
endorsement process. ISCs may wish to remove text regarding a Quality Report from the body of a Case
for Endorsement prior to finalising the post‐endorsement public version.
SECTION 3 – IMPACT OF CHANGES
• Set out the implications of the new or revised units of competency, skill sets, qualifications
or Training Package in various delivery environments, and the extent of change required to
enable successful implementation.
2 ‘Significant’ is where the issue is of such an importance that it will impact on the product’s ability to be
implemented. The ‘viewpoint’ relates directly to the content and/or structure of the draft endorsed components.
3 Skill sets using current endorsed units of competency are an ISC Upgrade and do not require NQC endorsement.
Further information on Categories of Change is in the Training Package Development and Endorsement Process
2008 document.

Template – Case for Endorsement – pv2.0
• Briefly state industry’s imperatives and timelines for implementation of the components.
• Note any overarching expectations industry has of the delivery/assessment of the
components.
• Provide advice on the extent of change and key implications for the following
environments/stakeholders as a result of the newly endorsed products:
- Public/private training and assessment services (include delivery
issues/resource implications)
- Enterprises
- Licensing and regulatory environments
- Policy environment (this includes but is not necessarily limited to the VET
environment. For example, the ISC should be aware of policy implications of
broader government and industry policy).
• Identify systemic issues that need to be addressed to ensure successful implementation.
• While of interest to NQC members, the primary audience for Section 3 are those
stakeholders critical to successful implementation, such as STAs and RTOs. ISCs will typically
gather information throughout the consultation and validation process including from
enterprises, licensing and regulatory bodies, RTOs, employer and employee representatives,
the Department and STAs.
APPENDIX A: COMPONENTS FOR ENDORSEMENT
Provide a copy of:
• Qualification titles and packaging rules
• Unit titles and codes (do not provide the content of the units of competency. This will
already have been agreed by industry during the validation stage and considered by
State/Territory Training Authorities (STAs).
• Advice on occupational and licensing requirements or assessment specific to the units of
competency and qualifications being submitted for endorsement
• Mapping information between old and replacement units of competency and
qualifications
• Training Package modification history.
Note: When submitting the draft endorsed components, do not provide text which has been
approved for insertion in all Training Packages, for example, Assessment Guidelines
mandated text.
Note: Appendix A is to be removed following NQC endorsement.
APPENDIX B: QUALITY REPORT
Note: Appendix B is to be removed following NQC endorsement.